I have an 89 F150 4X4 and am strictly looking for power. Out of everything but the motor what is the number one thing i should look into? I've thought of a chip but that may not be good enough for me. I want to be able to come up to any other truck and give them a run for their money in drag racing.

 

nitrous oxide

next in line, a properly installed/tuned turbocharger

next, a supercharger.

 

What engine in the truck???
If you want to run nitrous or "power adders" you will have to rebuild your engine and spend a lot of money for it to safely handle the power. A good way to ruin your truck. I would not suggest running any "power adders" at all unless your rotating assembly (crank, rods, pistons) is made up of all forged components. You have to worry more about rods and pistons than the stock crankshaft. Have the rotating assembly balanced at a machine shop.

If your engine is original I would suggest pulling it and freshening it up. Buy a new set of cast pistons and new rings, hone the cylinders, replace all the bearings, install your new cam, use all new gaskets during reassembly. Install a set of headers, have a new exhaust system installed with larger diameter pipe and new mufflers. If you're transmission is automatic buy a new torque converter with a higher stall speed, a 2800-3500rpm stall will allow you to launch quicker. There are a lot of other things you can change out too like the distributor, wires, coil, ect. Once you get all this extra power you will need a locking differential too or else you will burn your 'tire' to smithereens. You must also install a new timing chain because sloppy cam timing will cost you the engine.

<li>Performance cam
<li>Headers and exhaust
<li>New torque converter (if automatic transmission)
<li>Timing chain
<li>Cylinders honed, new pistons & rings, all new bearings, gaskets

You could do it for under $1000 if <i>you</i> do it.
The rear end will cost you about $500 on top of that afterwards.
If you are still wanting to be able to pull up to any truck and smoke them, it wont be cheap.

 

WELL, if you do decide to drop a cam in it, you will also need to convert to mass air.....

next, heads are a cheap way to add 50-70hp if you do change to mass air. then again, if you have a 351w, you can add a stroker kit and bring her up to 418"....

or better yet, buy an older 5.0 stang, and add a 150hp nitrous kit, some slicks, and some 4:10 gears and run 11's all day long

good luck

 

Back again, you guys are bein good help so far but i'll let you know right now that i don't got a lot of money to spend but still want more horses. My 89 has a 5.0 (302) in it and these were the ones will fuel injection too. I hope that helps.

 

Save your money, do your home work before droping the bills.
keep asking questions and you will have a better idea on what to spend on.

 

I would add some " No fear Stickers" and maybe some Neon Lights..
Im not sure what it is, but it must give the honda civics around here an easy 200-300 horsepower, Cant Imagine what kind of Gains youd get in your Pick em up...

Ron
00 Excursion Limited 4x4 V-10

 

Interesting question. More to the point about the turbocharger option, has anyone heard of this being done on an 89 F150? Either single or twin.

Cheers!
:-)